| Caller ID (or, CID) has long been a valuable way to | | | | switch accessing, and Voice XML (far less common). |
| identify and screen callers. It debuted to high | | | | In 2007, the federal government passed the Truth In |
| expectations for delivering a new level of personal | | | | Caller ID Act, which criminalized the activity. However, |
| privacy. Originally, its spread was limited to early | | | | due to the high level of trust most people place in CID |
| adopters, but the proliferation of cell phones put the | | | | technology, many individuals and businesses continue |
| technology into the hands of the average consumer. | | | | to spoof the system. |
| Today, most telephone service providers offer the CID | | | | How To Thwart The Spoofers |
| feature to their customers. | | | | There are three basic steps you can take to minimize |
| Caller ID spoofing threatens the reliability of the CID | | | | your exposure to caller ID spoofing. First, be wary |
| system. A caller can manipulate the system through | | | | about the phone numbers to which you respond. For |
| the call's telephone exchange and cause any phone | | | | example, if you receive an email that seems to be |
| number to display on the recipient's screen. When | | | | from an organization with which you're unfamiliar, don't |
| used as a prank, the effect is benign. However, it can | | | | call the number listed. Such emails are often |
| also be used by individuals and businesses for dubious | | | | themselves spoofed. |
| reasons. | | | | Second, assign a password to your voicemail. That will |
| This article will explain how the technology works so | | | | prevent third parties from using CID spoofing to |
| you'll have a basic understanding with regard to | | | | access your private messages. It may seem |
| protecting your privacy. We'll also provide a few tips | | | | inconvenient to spend a few extra seconds entering a |
| you can use to confound the efforts of the spoofers. | | | | password each time you retrieve your voicemail, but it |
| How Caller ID Spoofing Works | | | | ensures your privacy. |
| People who wish to trick caller ID systems typically | | | | Third, be careful regarding whom you decide to |
| subscribe to a spoofing service. Once they pay a fee, | | | | provide your personal information. Even if you're |
| they're given a personal identification number and a | | | | dealing with a large corporation, resist offering personal |
| special phone number to use. They call the telephone | | | | details unless absolutely necessary. Too often, people |
| number, input their destination number, the number they | | | | assume their privacy will be protected simply because |
| would like to spoof, and PIN. The call is connected and | | | | a given organization is large and well-known. |
| the spoofed number shows up on the recipient's CID | | | | Remember, it only takes one rogue employee to |
| display. Newer services allow their subscribers to | | | | expose you to spoofing. |
| complete the entire process through an online | | | | Even though CID spoofing is now illegal, it will likely |
| interface. | | | | continue to occur. Use the tips above to reduce your |
| Most spoofing occurs through VoIP technology, but it | | | | exposure and secure your privacy. |
| can also be accomplished through "orange boxing," | | | | |